After all these years and all the books, it seems impossible anything is left to uncover about President John F. Kennedy.
However, National Geographic Channel’s “The Kennedy Mystique: Creating Camelot,” premiering at 8 p.m. Monday, manages to present the photogenic president in a new light.
Photography is the essence of this documentary because Kennedy, like no president before him, understood the importance of image. He gave tremendous access to photographers.
Naturally, it also was a matter of timing. As the first president born in the 20th century, he campaigned for the presidency on television. Those who listened to the 1960 Richard Nixon-Jack Kennedy debate on radio thought Nixon had won. Those who watched the young, handsome senator and the middle-aged, sweaty vice president on television knew Kennedy trounced him.
Narrated by Stockard Channing, the documentary begins with “In just 1,000 days in office, John F. Kennedy charmed the world and changed politics forever.”
The film does not detract from Kennedy’s accomplishments, but it wisely does not delve into issues. Instead, it sticks to the premise that the primary reason the public so embraced the Kennedy family was his savvy use of the media. That’s not to say that Kennedy was disingenuous. Indeed, he read the reporters’ stories, knew them by name and liked them, a symbiotic relationship that has not since been seen.
Part of it was the time, and part of it was the man. The documentary shows exquisite photos and film of John-John and Caroline playing in the Oval Office with the glamorous first lady guiding them and standing, smiling, next to her husband, and the strong dad playing with his beautiful children.
For those who remember their casual elegance, spending an hour watching this sparks memories of the American Camelot. For those too young to remember, the documentary offers insight into what it was — even if what it was may have been greatly enhanced by image.
